2012 volkswagen golf Model Overview

The sixth-generation Volkswagen Golf carries over to the 2012 model year with minor tweaks and changes to its trim packages. The 2012 Golf two- and four-doors get a new Convenience package, and Convenience with Sunroof package. The Convenience package includes Bluetooth, voice control, heated front seats, and heated front washer nozzles. The Convenience with Sunroof package adds a sunroof, iPod connection, and premium audio system into the mix. The 2012 Golf TDI two- and four-door models also gets new option packages; the Golf TDI gets a new Sunroof with Navigation package, which includes a sunroof, a navigation system, and iPod connection, and a new Tech package, which includes Xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, and a Dynaudio sound system.

The 2012 Golf is powered by a 2.5-liter I-5 in the Golf 2.5, and a 2.0-liter turbodiesel I-4 in the Golf TDI. The 2.5-liter I-5 produces 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, and is mated to a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The Golf TDI’s 2.0-liter turbodiesel I-4 produces 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque and is bolted to a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Available only as a hatchback, the Golf offers economical transportation no matter how you slice it, especially with its fuel-efficient diesel option. Compared to other compact sedans and hatchbacks, the Volkswagen Golf is best suited for those who are willing to pay a bit extra for superior driving dynamics and a high-quality interior.

There are a few trim level changes for the 2012 Volkswagen Golf. The Golf 2.5 gets a new Convenience package, and Convenience with Sunroof package. The Convenience package includes Bluetooth, voice control, heated front seats, and heated front washer nozzles. The Convenience with Sunroof package adds a sunroof, iPod connection, and premium audio system into the mix. The Golf TDI also gets new option packages. The Golf TDI gets a new Sunroof with Navigation package, which includes a sunroof, a navigation system, and iPod connection. The other new option package is the Tech package, which includes Xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, and a Dynaudio sound system.

The 2012 Volkswagen Golf features a handsome, understated and thoroughly Teutonic take on the classic hatchback. More squared-off and mature looking than the previous generation Golf, the Volkswagen Golf is available as a two-door and a four-door hatchback. The Golf wears Volkswagen’s corporate grille well, and on Tech package-equipped Golfs, the twin-blade grille continues right into the LED daytime running lights. The Golf is available with 16- and 17-inch wheel options. Those looking for bigger or more aggressive wheels, look no further than the hot hatch GTI.

The 2012 Golf’s interior features high-quality materials for its class, even compared to its Jetta stablemate. We walked away impressed with the Golf’s interior on our first drive. We proclaimed it the “ritziest hatchback on the market,” and said, “The dash cover is soft, and surrounds the center stack with no perceptible gap. The seats afford ample support for long drives, and the rich, full sound from the optional 300-watt Dynaudio sound system is more than up to the task of out-crooning any crass engine sounds that manage to struggle past the newly fortified firewall.”

The Golf is comfortable and easy to drive on the road, giving the impression that the chassis can take much more than the engine is capable of dishing out, which makes sense considering the 256-hp engine in next year’s all-wheel-drive Golf R. The Golf 2.5’s 2.5-liter I-5 produces 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque getting it from 0-60 mph in 8.1 seconds with the six-speed auto. The Golf TDI’s 140-hp and 236 lb-ft of torque from the 2.0-liter turbodiesel I-4 make the car a bit quicker; we tested a dual-clutch equipped Golf TDI accelerating from 0-60 mph in 7.9 seconds.

There are no new safety changes for the 2012 Volkswagen Golf. All Golfs still come standard with front, and front side mounted airbags, and side air curtain airbags both front and rear, totaling six airbags. The 2012 Golf also comes standard with ABS, and both traction and electronic stability control system. The Golf also features Volkswagen’s Intelligent Crash Response System which will unlock the doors, turn off the fuel pump, and activate the Golf’s hazard lights in the event the vehicle’s airbags are deployed.

2012 Volkswagen Golf Pricing

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

$17,995

Certified Pre Owned Pricewhat is this?

$9,625

Certified Pre-Owned Price is the approximate price a consumer can expect to pay at a dealership for a used vehicle that has passed the manufacturer's certification process. This price applies only to vehicles covered under an automaker's CPO program, not to a dealership's own "certified" used price.

Recalls

DUE TO THE RESONANCE CONDITION, INJECTOR LINE NUMBER 2 COULD DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE. LEAKING FUEL IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Recall Date

2011-10-03

Description

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2009-2012 JETTA AND JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 AUDI A3 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L TDI COMMON RAIL DIESEL ENGINE/CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE. THE FUEL INJECTION PULSES COULD COINCIDE WITH THE NATURAL FREQUENCY OF THE INJECTOR LINE #2, IN SPECIFIC LOAD AND RPM CONDITIONS. THIS RESONANCE CREATES ADDITIONAL STRESS IN THE FUEL LINE.

Remedy

VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED FUEL INJECTOR LINE FOR THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER ON CERTAIN VEHICLES AND WILL INSTALL VIBRATION DAMPERS ON ALL OF THE INJECTOR LINES. VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS TO HAVE THE VEHICLES REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Units Affected

168275

Recall ID#15V483000 - AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Consequence

A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Recall Date

2015-08-04

Description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.

Units Affected

415825

Recall ID#16V078000 - AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE INFLATOR MODULE

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

2012 Volkswagen Golf News and Reviews

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